Sorority initiation...what the??
 

Okay, this is something that is somewhat strange in the minds of me and my pledge brothers, and me particularly b/c I've seen so many GC ladies say they love their letters because they've "earned" them.

Anyway, several of the sororities here are beginning to initiate--I know that Gamma Phi is doing so this Friday, and I think tri-Delt is next week, and I wouldn't be surprised if they are more houses doing so.

Now we here at Beta--we don't initiate until the first week of second semester: after grades come in, and we also have to filled a bunch of other requirements in community service, intramurals, Beta Lore, Beta songs, and outside involvement. Plus you throw in things like study hours, and we become prepared for the rest of college.

Basically, all the g-phis that I've talked to are surprised that we have weekly tests on songs and lore, and it seems that none of them have any idea of their history.

It seems that sorority initiation is like this:
Actives: Okay we're going to give you a bunch of presents, and as long as you go to some parties and don't screw up too bad, and say thank you for the gifts and then we'll initiate.

Pledges Okay!!! Thank you! Where are our badges?

I know of no fraternity that initiates before Thanksgiving on my campus, can someone explain to me why things are this way. Seriously, I'm glad that we have such an indepth pledge program, and I know that an understanding of Beta, along with the completion of tasks that will help me in the future, so dont' take this as jealousy. It just doesn't make that much sense.

Well most sororities have very strict hazing policies and many nationals consider an extended pledging or new member period to be a subtle form of hazing. I know we have a national rule that our new member period cannot be longer than 8 weeks and I am pretty sure this is why.
You're definitely not the only one who has noticed this. Many fraternities on my campus have asked why all the sororities initiate so early (early to them because they don't do it until late 1st or early 2nd semester.
But even though our new member period may be shorter, I feel it is just as productive. (Yes our big sisters spoil us, but it is not all about presents)
Anyway, thats my take on the subject.:)

And the shorter pledge period for sororities is a fairly recent thing. I pledged 10 years ago--we pledged labor day weekend and initiation wasn't until the last week in january or first week in february and we had weekly tests, community service, etc. that had to be fulfilled.

Well, I guess my pledgeship wasn't too long, but I definitely earned my letters. I was expected to know my heritage and pass a pledge test. I hate the fact that we may be abolishing pledge tests because I think it's a great way to learn the sorority history! Anyway, pledgeship isn't that simple. As pledges are also expected to uphold a lot of duties that the actives have (such as philanthropy work and all campus events).

I know I can't speak for the Gamma Phi's on your campus and I don't know how Greek life is like where you're from, but I know that the 8 week new member period like the one you've described sounds really ridiculous.

I remember hearing our MD Advisor saying that the new member period could not be more than 8 weeks as this was a national rule. I'm not sure if it's an NPC rule, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is.

SO MANY THINGS HAPPEN DURING THOSE 8 WEEKS. Each week we would have Fraternity Education and that was when we learned everything we needed to know about Alpha Gamma Delta. In addition to that we had the 14 Pearl Program (named after the jewels on our badge), and that program is designed to make the NM personally involved in the community, the campus, and our chapter. It's basically a personal development program. Each time a NM fulfills one of the pearl categories she receives a "pearl".

In addition to that, our NMs hold offices within their class, organize a NM fundraiser, attend our sisterhood events, are expected to keep their grades up, etc etc. Initiation takes place in mid-November. There's a lot more I could add to this but I think I'd be up typing till morning.

We do not allow a NM to wear our badge unless she knows everything about AGD that she can possibly learn within the 8 weeks. Why give them a badge if they don't know what their sorority is all about? This is why I love NM tests. I really do not understand how this could be considered hazing...but that's another story. This semester our sisterhood retreat is the weekend before the NM test, so our baby squirrels will be immersed in AGD and hopefully they'll be fresh for the test!

While the other 25 NPC organizations may not hold their frat eds this same way, I can bet that it's somewhat similar. So...earning one's letters isn't a piece of cake after all.

My nationals as well mandates a less-than-8-week pledgeship... it's hard, but our NMs definitely learn the foundations of AXO and sisterhood before they are initiated. While it may seem like the girls do nothing more than "bake cookies, make posters, and sing songs," be assured that there's so much more.

There's a good deal of pledging that is not made public to the campus community, fraternities in particular. The reason for this is that they are SISTERHOOD events, designed by sisters for sisters with no room for boys or anyone else. There are sisterhood events at the house or a sister's apartment where NMs are exposed to the friendships generated by the Bond. There are sisterhood retreats where NM's leadership and organizational skills are encouraged. There are workshops held after chapter for the NMs to learn about our criteria and background. There are off-campus cultural events designed to cultivate an appreciation for music, the arts, and history. There are events held with & for alumnae, to give NMs a sense of what came before them, of who built the chapter.

The thing is, with a short pledge period, you must create a program that incorporates all the values of your chapter. No sister wants to see someone wearing letters when they have no idea what they mean... so you then have them pledge so they DO know what they mean.

The pledges, also, will only be as good as the sisterhood. If no sisters show up to events, if the only older sisters they know are their pledge moms, then, well.... no, they probably won't know what AXO or any other letters mean. BUT, if you have an active, dedicated chapter that participates fully in the pledge process... then you will build active, dedicated NMs and, as a result, new sisters.

I don't like the 8 week pledge period at all. What if they do not make grades and have to de-activate? They have already learned all the ritual and spent $300.00 on a pin that they have to give back to Nationals. That just seems unfair to both the girl and the sorority. My opinion though.

Sue XO-

I understand your concern, and for that reason we have an Intellectual Development chair who works with the whole chapter (and especially the new girls) to make sure EVERYONE'S grades stay up. We just increased our minimum GPA for sisters and new members to a 2.5, so she's working harder than ever. The ID chair sets up intersorority tutorial programs so older sisters can be resources for younger sisters, and if a girl may be in danger of slipping grades the ID chair gets her syllabi and works with her to set up a schedule for studying and paper writing. The chapter should be there not only to catch you if you fall, but to prevent you from falling in the first place.

I know most fraternities have a 8 week period but no one follows it fraternity wise.

8 weeks is a long time..imo

d

Its funny cuz for my Alpha Gam chapter ( and Im sure all the others) you dont learn rituals until you are initiated.
Michigan Process:
Get your bid, and the same night have the new member (not pledges) ceremony.
Start Fraternity Ed (know all 11 founders, what the symbols mean, how we got started etc.)
Carry -In (Where a fraternity carries girls over the threshold of their new house)
14 Pearls have to be completed like a week before initiation.
3 Ceremonies that are mandatory (unless you have class or something)
Fraternity Ed Test (yes we have to take a test)
Fireside
then....Initiation.

As far as grades go, you still are initiated before they come on, but afterwards if they arent up , your not on good standing with headquarters. Finances do have caught up before you can though.

I think my chapter feels there isnt enough time to do it.

Sorry, but I just thought of something, are we maybe getting pledging mixed up with Initiation? Even if school started in Aug its still seems a wee bit early for initiation.

Okay, don't quote me on this, but i'm pretty sure that what Chi Omega has adopted is that the actual new member program(meetings, etc..) does only last 8 weeks, however, we still wait until fall grades come in to initiate..I know that on my campus, Chi-O is also the only house that still waits for grades to come in before initiating..

It was the same at CU-Boulder last I knew. Most of us initiated around Thanksgiving but Chi-O waited for grades and initiated the first week of the spring semester. Girls who didn't make grades were held over as "diamond pledges" or something like that.

Our new member period can only be 6 weeks, in accordance with our CAMPUS rules. So, everyone has to be in after 6 weeks. Rush ended 2 weeks ago, so they are around 1 1/2 weeks of pledging gone by. We don't initiate until the following semester, before the next new member class starts. This gives us the opportunity to get grades and work with folks who may be in danger of missing that cutoff. But we don't make someone learn rituals and pay money for a badge and then not initiate them. They just stay in that limbo status until they bring their grades up. Financially, they are just as obligated as regular active sisters. Also, an Academic Improvement Plan is set up for the sister so that her grades become her top priority.

Hey ladies,
it's interesting to hear all the different ways we go about our business. In my GLO our New Member program can be no less than 4 weeks and no more than 6 weeks. During this time the new members do learn all the history. as for grades, we go by highschool gpa for freshmen. I do think sometimes that it would be better to have a longer new member program so that all actives really get to know the new member(and to give them time to get their money in! :p )

8 Weeks long??
 

Well I should probably change my name, because I'm a brother now, not a brother to be.

Damasa you said 8 weeks is a long time to pledge? I don't think it's that long. I was pinned as a pledge on February 3, 2001 and I was initiated Saturday, September 22, 2001.

That seemed like a long time to me, but it was all worth it in the end. I do feel like I have earned my spot at the table. My fraternity does wait for grades to come in, we had to make a 2.35 as pledges.

You might wonder what my fraternal affiliation is... let's just say I've been found worthy.

:)

Somebody will know what that means.

Nope, it's not too early...we are having Fireside this Friday and Initation on Saturday.

But then, we started school around the 20th of August and had rush the week before...

yes...I do feel that 8 weeks is quite a while....at times....maybe it is because we put in so much work that we would like it shorter than usual....For freshman..we go off hs gpa...sophmore and up...from the gpa from the previous semester/year.....

I guess it's just how your certain initation process goes

d

My chapter typically held initiation about 8 weeks after pledging. 8 weeks is plenty of time to learn the sorority's history, your chapter's history, meet your pledge sisters, meet most if not all of the active sisters, and fulfill other new member obligations (like earning pearls - AEPhi does that too, only we have 27 :) ).

Another sorority on my campus initiated after only 4 weeks. Now that's a little too short a time!!

We didn't wait for grades to initiate; we used the GPA we had (high school GPA for 1st semester freshmen) as one of our criteria for extending a bid, and if the new sister later didn't make grades, it was no different from an older sister not making grades... you'd meet with the scholarship chair, draw up a study plan, etc.

I don't understand how a sorority can get rid of the idea of testing the NMs - don't you have to know your sorority's history?? My chapter did have a rule, though, that at least one sister had to sit with the new member class and take the test with them; that way the NMs weren't being "forced" to do something no sister was doing. But nothing happened to the sister if she failed :)

Yep, I gotta agree. We're supposed to do a "6-8 week new-member program." Yeah, whatever. We hold for grades, so we associate our NM's in Early Sept and they are initiated in early jan, before school starts. In the spring we Associate in early Feb and initiate in May after grades come out. (so spring is a month shorter 'cause theres no holiday break.) With my org, as long as your chapter is big, and you bring in enough $$ to them, there are some things you can get away with. This being one of them. When asked we just say its a "school rule" and the org backs off. :rolleyes: Then we send the consultant on his little way.

everyone Thank you

It's been very interesting to see all the different new member programs, however even 8 weeks as prescribed as NPC seems too short for me.

I find it interesting that some consider an extend pledge program as a subtle form of Hazing. That I dont' get, perhaps sorority pledge programs really are more along of the lines of being judged for membership due to the hectic and IMHO all together too short rush. As opposed to open rush that frats do, but that's an entirely different issue I have.

I feel a semester is a decent timeframe, the stretching out of history would actually be more of a help, b/c then less material is being covered, so time that should be spent studying for classes isn't used for far less important chapter lore test. Perhaps b/c our pledge program is so multifaceted--developing brotherhood (not only among pledge class but also nearly all the actives except for the ones who live out), intellect and good study habits, making pledges become involved in campus groups, helping the community, enjoying physical activities, and also developing pride in the house--we need the greater length, also it's helpful, and comforting to know, that for this first semester when the transition is taking place, that we as pledges have the full support system of the house in place to help. Also it may be because we don't take in new members in the spring (it's kind of an anomaly on this campus--I know of no one who has signed w/ a house after about the second week of September doing open rush (girls))

Okay well again thanks to everyone who posted.

My new member period was only 5 weeks because the following weekend was a leadership conference that most of the sisters were going to. I too don't see how the tests can be done away with, it's the only way to motivate the new members to learn the sorority's history. The way we do it, the big sisters sit in with the new members while they take their test. Since passing the test is required for initiation, they need to have at least 85% to pass. And trust me, no one ever fails.

I know that neither Chi Omega nor NPC has set a minimum time limit. Our bid day was in mid-August, but we do not get initiated until the end of January.

I do not think that the longer pledge period is unfair, because we truly have earned our membership. I know most of the fraternities here have long pledgeships because they have to know the members before they are initiated. I am glad that we get initiated later than all of the other sororities on campus (most of whom have already had initiation) because we really do get to know our members and they get to know us. Also, we get to make sure that the house really is for us. We are making a lifetime commitment and I would rather know that I am making the right decision.

alphagam1019
 

Fireside already?!?!

I guess it seems early to be because at UM pretty much everyone initiates in mid to late November. Ours was done in Dec and it was freezing cold. Feast of Roses was held at a different place and we all pretty much had on open toed shoes. Its not pretty getting 30 + girls up at 6 am in Dec. :) Congrats on rush and Initiation.

Betarulz! (and all other interested),

I am fairly confident that Beta has a rule that mandates a pledge period of AT LEAST 8 weeks. (Unlike some fraternities that pledge you in, give you a sweatshirt....and BAM, three weeks later, you're initiated!) Like you mentioned, during that time, you study lore, meet brothers, meet your pledge class, learn how to be a better student, sharpen your social skills.....etc.

Also, Beta has instilled a 2.5 minimum GPA standard for pledges to initiate. By the way, Beta was the first fraternity to pioneer this standard - 1985. In order for members to be intiated, especially as freshman, they must wait until grades come out to see if everyone made the minimum standard.

Now, the question is, does all the chapters follow that rule? Nope! I know that Nebraska does, hence they have best GPA in Betas Broad Domain. My chapter does not, and we have not really been known for our grades in the past.

I kinda wish we followed that rule for our grades sake, but who really wants to pledge for 14 weeks, then have a 7 week Christmas break (away from school, Beta and your pledge brothers) and then get initiated? I personally feel it needs to be done during the same semester; then the REAL affect happens while it is fresh in your head.

It is a win-win and a lose-lose situation, whichever way you look at it.

-kai-

ZZ-kai-

I know Pi Phi at my campus has the longest pledge period. We don't get initiated until we pass our pledge test, get grades in from first quarter, and get 2/3 approval from AAC through interviews.

I saw other chapters with letters by Novemeber, but as Pi Phi is the only sorority to have in its bylaws that pledges may not wear greek latters until initiation, I had to wait until late January and I pledged in September.

Personally, I understand all of the anti-hazing stuff going on but I am not a fan of all but eliminating pledgeship. I think that a semester of pledgeship was a good thing because it gave you a chance to get acclimated, bond with your pledge class, and see enough to make sure that you really want to stick with it. When I pledged in Fall '90 we got our bids at the end of September and were not initiated until January 26, 1991. We learned everything we were able to about the chapter and national's history (obviously ritual info wasn't revealed until initiation) and participated in a lot of pledge class activities. There was an all-chapter pledge retreat one weekend at a camp about 30 minutes from campus, and the pledges were basically pampered by the actives. I just don't like the direction that they are taking with reducing the term of pledgeship and eliminating pledge activities because they are "hazing." Would you believe that (at least for a while) they eliminated the big/little night hunt because it was hazing??? We used to do a scavenger hunt of sorts....some years it was where we hid somewhere in the house and left clues and gifts for our little to follow until she found us. One year we had a string that we tied to a start point and then wound all over the house until we hid. Then our little was given her end and she had to follow it all through the house to find us. THAT'S hazing??? I thought it was fun!!! Next thing you know, the girls will get their bids (unless they eliminate rush because it is "hazing") and come over that night to be initiated....well, not initiated because that's hazing, but they can pick up their pin at the house after bid day. :rolleyes:

I completely support the longer waiting period before initiation. I believe that increases the bonding between the pledges and makes the initiation that much more anticipated. I also believe that to ask a pledge to wait until they earn their grades is not too much. Personally, I believe what we have to offer is worth the wait.

Current Chi O's may know this, since I'm an alum, I have no idea-- What does Nationals do when the individual campus says pledge periods can't be more than 8 weeks?

I think that our campus may have something like that, because one of the older girls in my house told me that we got it approved because it is a national thing. So I guess if it is a national rule, then the campus will let you wait longer for initiation.

I think it is bad to initiate before grades are made the first semester. That just looks like they are trying to get the money, rather than seeing who is capable of staying around the four years you would like them to be members. I think everyone knows what real hazing is and that has no place anywhere-but let's give pledges, or whatever you want to call them, enough time to make grades and make up their minds that the organization is right for them. :p

New Member Periods
 

While I pledged in August and was initiated in February, I fully support the 8 week new member period and doing away with new member exams. I have seen new member periods without exams and without extended time periods turn out members who have been involved in their fraternities for over 10 years now. It is not really that difficult to introduce people to sisterhood, history and a lifetime of opportunity in a two month period.

New member exams are not just hazing, they are also a waste of time! I remember spending a lot of time studying for them, making sure I knew every last detail about each founder, etc. when I could have been studying for my classes. My chapter hasn't done new members exams now for almost ten years and if you ask our current members who our founders are and other information that was on new member exams they can still tell you. It is all about programming and educating your members throughout their time in college and as alumnae.

In terms of scholarship, we as fraternity women consider ourselves developers of women - if you pledge someone in fall and they don't make grades, you should look at your membership development program and see what you can do to help your members, new and active to be more successful scholastically. It is not just new members that need study hours and study buddies. All members need to study and chapters should provide incentives for studying.

Just my two cents.

Re: New Member Periods
 

I'm sorry that you considered learning about your sorority a "waste of time" when measured against a lifetime of sisterhood. :rolleyes: That is part of what the semester of pledging is about, to help you learn time management. If everyone gets coddled and has things handed to them on a silver platter, maybe they will make grades that semester so they can initiate, but what happens the next semester when they are on their own and no one is holding their hand? I've heard people get through pledgeship all smiling and happy and then whine after they are active "this is soooo much work!" and go inactive because they can't handle the responsibility.

As far as pledge exams being hazing, I completely disagree. You need to have some sort of yardstick to show whether each individual has tried to learn about the sorority. That's when you find out who the rest of the pledge class carried for 6-8 weeks. One minute we preach developing personal responsibility and the next it's hazing if we ask someone to learn what are relatively easy facts about the org they will be part of forever. Come on, which is it?

Our new member program (ZTA) lasts 6 to 8 weeks. In my opinion, there are misunderstandings on both sides of the fence, for example; guys think girls have it really easy because they are not as likely to be hazed, the are given presents, and because their pledge period is shorter, but as far as I know (please clarify this for me if it isn't true), guys have it easier in the way that there are not as many rules for them concerning behavior. Most sorority girls are expected to follow sets of rules which range from not drinking or smoking in their letters, to behaving like a lady while in letters (or even all the time), to not spending the night at a fraternity house, etc.

I think these rules all have good reasoning, and I certainly will obey them being the respectful new member that I am. I personally think it is somewhat sexist, however, that fraternity men are allowed to drink, smoke, and act like just plain fools while even wearing their badges or letters. Especially in Tennessee, where we as sorority girls are not allowed to have houses because they're considered "whore houses", and that is such complete B.S. ! That particular housing rule is the one that really ticks me off, but it seems that most guys agree that it's a dumb rule as well. Oh, well...I'm just ranting now...

Re: Re: New Member Periods
 

I completely agree with both of these statements, applying them to a semester pledgeship. I'm pretty sure it's the same at other chapters, but here, we have a point system, of which New member exams are a significant portion of the points, and Grades make up the largest portion (40%), and that determines roll number. And roll number in turn determines the order of room choice, and who gets a parking spot in the lot, and numerous other things.

Obviously you hope that you rush quality people, that you've made the proper cuts about things you found in rush apps, that you found people who are friendly etc. but in the end you need to determine if that person is really what your organization stands for. Especially for sororities, since new members don't live in, it would seem that a longer, or more rigorous pledgship would allow the most accurate way to truly test the individual. Also if the pledgship is rigorous--well then the following semesters will become far easier as things like new member tests are no longer around to subtract from study time.

This is just my opinion, but this statement doesnt help the hazing problems we do have. Hazing is something (in my opinion) that ould cause mental or physical danger. How is taking a test hazing? I mean if we go by thse terms , then making your new members wear the same shirt on Bid Day could be considered hazing. If we keep considering anything hazing, we wont be bale to do any activities soon.

You need to know the history, yes you can learn it without a test, but I know for my chapter the test helped us to understand the initiation we went through. We werent like, "what the heck was that all about?" when it was done. But to each his own. My 2 cents.

Ok, maybe this is just me but there is just somehting that I don't understand.

Why would learning about the organization that you are about to become a part of for the rest of your life be a terrible thing? I looked forward to learning about my Organization and its unique and interesting history. I enjoyed the time I spent with my sisters discussing how exciting it must have been for our founders. I am sure that my founders are proud that every sister knows our history. How can you learning and education (you know, the reason we are at college!!) a bad thing? These are organizations that we are all a part of for a lifetime, not just our college years, and I know that I carry that knwoledge with enjoyment and pleasure.

Can someone please tell me?

Learn to Read
 

33girl, you might want to reread what I wrote and what you quoted. I said that "New member exams are not just hazing, they are also a waste of time!" I did not say that learning about my fraternity was a waste of time.

I am sorry that many of you don't see how new member exams make some women feel uncomfortable, especially based on the fact that they seperate out the new members from the active members, cause some new members to be singled out as inadequate or stupid, and generally add unnecessary stress to the new member period. Many strong GLOs have implemented very successful new member programs that do not include examinations yet turn out women who are very loyal to and knowledgeable about their GLO.

College women today need to be treated with respect. They attend new member meetings, learn and participate, and in MY OPINION, making them study for exams when they could be studying for classes or participating in their communities is just an indicator of your lack of respect for their time.

I find it very sad that none of you can understand where I am coming from on this subject. The success of the Greek System in the twenty-first century depends upon all of us thinking outside the box a little bit. With closed minds the system as a whole is not going to get very far.